Musing – Do you know Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah?

 Hebraic Musing – Do you know Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah?

Daniel had three young, loyal, faithful Hebrew friends when he went into exile in Babylon.  BUT, the Babylonian king changed the names of Daniel and his three friends.  “Among these (Israelites from the royal family) were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.  The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.”  Daniel 1:6-7 NIV   These fine, upstanding Hebrew boys had awesome Hebrew names which meant:

• Daniel – “God is my Judge” or “Judge of God”.
• Hananiah – “Jehovah is Grace”
• Mishael – “Who is what God is”
• Azariah – “The Lord helps”

But the Babylonian king had names for them that were better suited for their ‘intended role’ in Babylon.  So he gave them names with different meanings:

• Daniel became Belteshazzar – “Prince of Bel," or "Bel protect the king”!
• Hananiah became Shadrach – “Inspiration of Rach”
• Mishael became Meshach – “Who is what Shach is”
• Azariah became Abednego – “Servant of Nebo”

Why do we drill our young, and old, bible learners into learning and singing about ‘Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’ using Babylonian names?  After all, the beauty and message of the biblical account was their refusal to accept pagan Babylonian practices and to hold to their Hebrew faith! 

It’s also interesting that in the remainder of the book, Daniel’s name did not change.  “God is Judge”.

Here’s a personal testimony.  My late wife, Peggy, had a habit in church services that whenever she hears the “Sh.., Mish, Abedn…” recitation, she whispers loud enough for the whole church to hear – “Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah!”.   Years ago, the sound man, Bill Gardner, from our church had a cross-section of an oak tree trunk about two feet diameter.  To honor Peggy’s custom and show his approval, Bill carved into the 2” thick cross-section “Speak Hebrew, Not Babylonian.  Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah”.  Then he proudly varnished it and set it out to cure.  It cracked; and Bill was really disappointed -- until we all realized the crack went right through the word “Babylonian”.  

Bill Gardner, Peggy, God and I all had a good laugh.  That huge memento is proudly displayed on the fireplace mantle in our home.  And here it is.

 

 

Point to ponder –

Can you speak in Hebrew, not Babylonian, by saying “Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah”?

Can we use words and names that honor God, rather than the world’s words?

Let’s agree to always refer to the three Hebrew boys as “Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.”

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                    June 20, 2023
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com

(Reprint of Hebraic Insight #81  August 4, 2010)